Top 50 ways to slack off work

Workers have revealed the top 50 ways they secretly slack off - including 'tactical' toilet breaks, booking meeting rooms for a gossip, and taking compassionate leave for fictional funerals.

As millions reluctantly return to their desks after the festive break, researchers have uncovered the many ways people cheat the system and get extra time off.

Booking out the boardroom for a power nap, doodling under the pretence of serious note-taking and creating fictional meetings off-site are other ways Brits will avoid their hefty workloads.

The study of 2,000 people also showed the average worker slacks off for up to 50 minutes a day - or more than four hours a week - usually to carry out personal tasks.

Geoffrey Dennis, Chief Executive of international animal charity SPANA, which provides free veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries, said: "Returning to work after the holiday season can come as a shock to the system - and no doubt some workers will be easing themselves back in slowly this week.

"Many people in this country undoubtedly work very hard, but it's clear from these findings that office workers are finding creative ways of putting their feet up for a break.''

Other bizarre ways workers avoid knuckling down include disappearing for little walks, disabling sleep-mode on the PC and writing personal emails in Microsoft Word.

Constantly writing things on Post-It notes to give the illusion of a 'busy desk', inventing emergencies to attend to and walking around the office with a sense of urgency also feature in the list.

It also emerged the workforce will make fake phones calls, browse social media and staring at the computer screen with a look of concentration, while daydreaming in a bid to look busy.

The study also found four in 10 workers slack off to get personal tasks completed without anyone knowing, while 34 per cent claimed to be bored by their current role.

One fifth of those polled admitted they lack energy after a busy morning and so are most likely to slack off in the afternoon.

Around 42 per cent often duck responsibilities because their job is 'easy'.

Another 41 per cent grumbled they used to be the model employee, but boredom or resentment has turned them into a slacker.

Twenty six per cent admitted their tendency to slack off is holding them back from progressing in their career.

Unfortunately, one in 10 workers haven't disguised their 'skiving' very well, and have been disciplined with either a serious talking to, a written reprimand, a performance improvement plan or by being shouted at in front of colleagues.

Geoffrey Dennis added: "Although the back-to-work transition may feel hard, we should remember that this is a very minor issue compared to the tough working lives endured by working animals overseas.

''These animals often lead short, painful lives, working in dangerous environments, without access to veterinary care when they are sick or injured. They desperately need our help.

''They work tirelessly, often carrying back-breaking loads in extreme conditions, to help people in the poorest communities earn a small income.

''And, like their owners, they never get to enjoy rest periods, lazy afternoons or holidays."

* SPANA is working to improve their welfare, ensuring that working animals receive the vital vet treatment they need, as well as educating owners about how to best care for their animals.